Year-round access to British lamb, and farmer pressures on improved performance and profitability, means the role of animal medicines advisors, has never been more important.

AMTRA said its SQPs play a vital role, alongside vets and sheep farmers, in improving the health and performance of flocks, and in doing so improving efficiency and cost effectiveness, ultimately meaning sheep farmers are more profitable.

Mark Pass, a former winner of the AMTRA SQP of the Year award and a Gold Standard SQP, said: “In terms of the AMTRA SQP, it is a year-round, and daily commitment to providing advice and guidance for farmers.”

As store manager at Beeston Animal Health, Mark looks after 400 ovine customers, with approximately 45,000 sheep. Sister company the Willows Vet Group also covers Cheshire and neighbouring counties.

Mark said: “There is a different focus throughout the year. For example, now at pre-tupping, we are reviewing lamb performance, providing ram MOT semen collections alongside the vet, discussing vaccinations, reviewing parasite control and Faecal Egg Count (FEC) results.

“We will also be discussing nutrition and trace element profiles, and I will run through blood test results alongside the vet.”